Bottle bill program being launched badly

I'm all in favor of the new bottle bill law, but its implementation is totally wrong for a couple of reasons.

First, why start charging consumers 5 cents two months prior to being able to get your refund at stations that have not yet been identified?

Second, charging consumers 5 cents per container beginning Monday when some bottlers have not yet properly labeled their 5-cent refundable labels is, in my opinion, against the law. This translates to consumers purchasing and paying for some refundable containers and then not being able to get their refund because of the lack of container labeling by the bottlers. This sure smells like a class-action suit.

Has the Better Business Bureau or the state Office of Consumer Protection reviewed this, or is this a case of the mongoose in the hen house? Let's get this right the first time.

Symphony 'disaster' was a tour de force

I take exception to Ruth O. Bingham's critique of the performance "And There Was Light." It was not a disaster! For me, it was a real live, "aesthetically meaningful," co-creative, integrative experience.

The natural movement of the hula forms juxtaposed against the stationary shapes and sounds of the symphony and chorus was quite alive with an unconventional, variegated integrity.

This kind of multidimensional, integrative, participative performance is a perfect antidote to the cultural trance of pervasively slick, "aesthetically pleasing," corporate-style art that has desensitized us with its predictability. The mixing and marrying of two different cultural art forms created an "aesthetically meaningful" experience, which was further blessed with the natural sounds of pouring water.

Hey, "divine intervention" if I've ever seen it! Haydn would have loved it!

Thank you for saving my brother from fire

On behalf of my brother, Frank Oliveira, and my two other siblings, we would like to thank the following people who helped save my brother's life from a fire in his 'Aiea home ("Soldier reacts quickly to prevent tragedy in fire," Oct. 23): neighbors Orlino Elvena and his sister; Army Cpl. Eldred Dioquino; all the neighbors on Ohialomi Place, and Fire Captain Lee Muller and his fire crew, and Fire Battalion Chief Clinton Wong.

Their quick thinking helped prevent a tragedy. My brother recently had brain surgery and is currently disabled while he is recovering from it.

It is reassuring to know there are kind and courageous people who are willing to risk their lives to help their neighbor. My brother has lived on 'Ohialomi Place for over 30 years. May God continue to bless all who helped save him. Aloha ke Akua.

Beauty of Hawai'i will never let me go

I miss Hawai'i. I miss aquamarine waters, picturesque sea-scapes of various O'ahu shorelines, gentle breezes, tropical sun, childhood memories of swimming at the beach and the feeling of peace as my contented, teenage soul believed all was well.

Although I was born in Hawai'i and returned three times for family visits, removal from my culture leaves a void within. I struggle with words to describe Hawai'i's beauty to my young sons. We view programs of Hawai'i on television, but the experience is not the same.

Yes, I miss Hawai'i — the bakeries, farmer's markets, shopping plazas and palm trees. I miss the sandy beaches and beckoning waters. I miss the native people and culture. And I miss what my life would have been like had I grown up in Hawai'i.

Libraries have many books on teenage sex

As the Young Adult librarian at Liliha Public Library, I was really glad to see your Oct. 17 article "Teens talk about sex." All the books listed, for parents, are available in the public library system.

But what seemed missing in the article was a list of books and resources for the teens themselves to read. We have lots of books in the library for teens. There is even a bibliography. All of them may be checked out and taken home. Come take a look.